Beware the consequences of sharing pictures of other people
The Information Regulator of South Africa has recently reminded the public that photographs clearly identifying an individual are regarded as personal information.
This is in terms of the Protection of Personal Information Act which became enforceable in early July this year.
The changes to the law mean that the distribution of images of people is regarded as processing of personal information in terms of the act.
The act prohibits the distribution of personal information, including images of people, without their consent. What does this mean, though, practically?
Candice le Sueur Fisher, a Cape Town-based privacy and ethics consultant, describes for Parent24 how this has implications for families and school employees who may be tempted to share photos of each other, and of children.